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Apply for the AARP Purpose Prize Award

AARP Purpose Prize honorees tell a new story of aging—one full of meaningful impact and limitless possibilities

AARP Purpose Prize winner Wintley Augustus Phipps speaking to a classroom of kids
AARP Purpose Prize winner Wintley Augustus Phipps is the founder and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy, which empowers children most at risk of incarceration to believe in themselves and succeed.

Award Benefits

  • Each AARP Purpose Prize Winner’s founded 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization will receive $50,000. In addition, once the five (5) Winners are identified, each of them will then have the opportunity to enter into the AARP Inspire Award Contest where the general public will be invited to vote and select the AARP Inspire Award Winner (For more details about the AARP Inspire Award Contest, visit www.aarp.org/InspireAward on July 28, 2022)
  • Each AARP Purpose Prize Fellow’s founded 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization will receive $10,000. 
  • Winners and fellows will also have access to a number of technical assistance organizational supports and resources to help broaden their organizations’ impact.  
  • Membership in the AARP Purpose Prize “class” of honorees — a peer community of learning
  • Inclusion in the full AARP Purpose Prize alumni network

Application cycle dates

The call for applications is open through February 28, 2023.

Eligibility

  • You are 50 or older
  • You are the founder or co-founder of your organization
  • Your organization is a (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) non-profit organization with its principal place of business located in the United States in good standing in its state of origin and tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code at the time of Applicant’s submission and throughout the Purpose Prize Contest selection process
  • You started the work for which you are applying at the age of 40 or older
  • You are a US citizen living in the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia
  • You can clearly document the impact of your organization’s work
  • There is a connection in your own life that drew you to the work you do
  • Your organization uses innovative approaches to an existing or emerging problem
  • While your work can be international in scope, it is based in the United States.

See official rules for additional details on eligibility. Have additional questions? Read our FAQs or see the Purpose Prize official rules, eligibility, odds, and prize disclosures.